Drones are to be allowed to film in City airspace for the first time after complaints from businesses and residents about the noise from TV and film company helicopters.

Under a trial, drones will be permitted to film "in very restricted circumstances".

It will mean that BBC Apprentice sequences using helicopters to capture the Gherkin, Walkie Talkie and Tower 42 could be shot on cameras mounted in quadcopters.

City of London Corporation officials previously had safety and privacy concerns over the use of drones, but were convinced to lift the ban after a change in Civil Aviation Authority rules.

It is expected that mainly TV and movie companies will apply to fly, with one drone request already being considered from producers of a "large-scale feature film" for next year.

Approved operators will be allowed to hover drones within 50 metres of buildings and crowds, compared with 150 metres elsewhere in London. Casual hobby fliers remain banned.

A City spokeswoman said successful applicants must have "effective stewarding" on the day of filming.